System for launching lightweight elements during festive events

ABSTRACT

A system for projecting light elements in the air, including: a casing connected to a reservoir containing the light elements and including an opening extending along a determined direction; a slide capable of sliding in the opening along the determined direction; a striker arranged in the opening and fixed with respect to the casing; a spring for sliding the slide in the opening; a shoulder for blocking the slide with respect to the casing in a stop position; a compressed gas cartridge capable of being slid along with the slide and, when the slide is blocked in the stop position, of being projected against the striker to be opened by the striker; and a channel for leading the gases released on opening of the cartridge towards the reservoir.

CLAIM FOR PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of French Application No. 03/50313,filed Jul. 9, 2003 and Int'l. Application No. PCT/FR2004/050318, filedJul. 8, 2004 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to a system for projecting in the airlight elements, especially made of paper or of plastic matter, forexample, confetti or paper streamers, in festive events.

An example of a projection system corresponds to the product sold byBrezac Artifices corporation under trade name Kabuki. Such a projectionsystem is formed of a socket on which is fastened a compressed gascartridge. A tube containing the light elements to be projected in theair is assembled on the socket to receive the gases provided by thecartridge. A manually or automatically operable striker is capable ofpiercing the cartridge. The released gases then spread into the tube andproject the light elements in the air.

A disadvantage of such a projection system is that it is difficult toensure, on each use, an optimal piercing of the cartridge. Indeed, theamplitude of the kinetic power that can be transmitted to the striker toensure the cartridge opening is generally limited. Indeed, when theprojection system is manually operated, the striker is directly setgoing by a user, for example, by the pulling of a string. The amplitudeof the power transmitted to the striker is then limited by the powerthat the user can develop. When the projection system is automaticallyoperated, the striker is generally connected to a spring, maintained inthe compressed state by a blocking means actuated by an electromagnet.The spring is released when the electromagnet receives a control signal.However, the light weight of the striker and the bulk constraints limitthe amplitude of the kinetic power that can be transmitted to thestriker.

Another disadvantage of such a projection system is that the compressedgas cartridge is fastened to the socket, for example, by screwing. It isthus necessary, between two uses of the projection system, to remove theused cartridge and to assemble in its place a new cartridge. Suchremoval and assembly operations generally require a non-negligible time.

The present invention aims at obtaining a system for projecting lightelements, using a compressed gas cartridge, improving the cartridgeopening by the striker.

The present invention also aims at obtaining a system for projectinglight elements in which the replacing of the compressed gas cartridge issimple and fast.

To achieve these objects, the present invention provides a system forprojecting light elements in the air, comprising a casing connected to areservoir containing the light elements and comprising an openingextending along a determined direction; a slide capable of sliding inthe opening along the determined direction; a striker arranged in theopening and fixed with respect to the casing; means for sliding theslide in the opening; means for blocking the slide with respect to thecasing in a stop position; a compressed gas cartridge capable of beingslid along with the slide and, when the slide is blocked in the stopposition, of being projected against the striker to be opened by thestriker; and means for leading the gases released on opening of thecartridge towards the reservoir.

According to a projection mode of the present invention, the projectionsystem comprises additional means for blocking the slide with respect tothe casing in an arming position in which the slide is more distant fromthe striker than in the stop position; and means for releasing the slideto slide into the opening from the arming position.

According to a projection mode of the present invention, the means forsliding the slide are a helical spring comprising a first end connectedto the casing and a second end connected to the slide, the spring beingcompressed when the slide is in the arming position and being capable ofbeing released to slide the slide between the arming position and thestop position.

According to a projection mode of the present invention, the openingcomprises a shoulder for blocking the slide in the stop position.

According to a projection mode of the present invention, the slidecomprises a body and at least one reinforcing piece connected to thebody by a leg extending in a determined direction, the openingcomprising a shoulder capable of receiving the reinforcing piece toblock the slide in the arming position, the leg being deformable torelease the reinforcing piece from the shoulder.

According to a projection mode of the present invention, the systemcomprises a socket arranged at one end of the opening, the striker beingfastened to the socket, the socket comprising at least one protrusioncapable of cooperating with the slide to place the slide in the armingposition.

According to a projection mode of the present invention, the opening iscylindrical, the socket being capable of being rotated with respect tothe casing from a first position in which the socket prevents thesliding of the slide to a second position in which the slide is free toslide.

According to a projection mode of the present invention, the reservoiris attached to the socket, said socket comprising openings for thepassing of the gases released on opening of the cartridge.

According to a projection mode of the present invention, the casingcomprises at least one flexible tab that can be manually actuated,capable of deforming the leg to release the reinforcing piece from theshoulder.

According to a projection mode of the present invention, the systemcomprises means for deforming the leg comprising a mobile arm having oneend capable of deforming the leg and an electromagnet capable ofactuating the arm.

The foregoing objects, features, and advantages, as well as others ofthe present invention will be discussed in detail in the followingnon-limiting description of specific embodiments in connection with theaccompanying drawings, among which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are cross-section views of the projection system accordingto the present invention at two successive steps of the use of theprojection system;

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of elements of the projection systemaccording to the present invention;

FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively show a perspective view and a top view of anelement of the projection system according to the present invention;

FIGS. 6 and 7 respectively show an enlarged side view and top view ofthe striker of the projection system according to the present invention;and

FIGS. 8 and 9 respectively show a side view and a partial front view ofa device of automatic actuation of the projection system according tothe present invention.

FIGS. 1 to 5 show several views of a projection system 10 according tothe present invention. Projection system 10 comprises a cylindricalcasing 12 crossed by a cylindrical opening 13 of axis D, closed by aplug 14 at one end and by a socket 16 at the opposite end. As anexample, the axial length of casing 12 is of a few tens of centimetersand the inner radius of casing 12 varies from a few centimeters to someten centimeters. Socket 16 comprises a base 17, obstructing the end ofcasing 12, from which projects a cylindrical support 18 according toaxis D. A tube 20, a portion only of which is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, isfastened to cylindrical support 18, for example, by stapling or gluing,and extends long axis D. Tube 20 contains light elements, not shown,especially made of paper or of plastic matter, for example, confetti orpaper streamers. Tube 20 is advantageously made of cardboard, or of anylow cost material, that can easily tear under the action of an internaloverpressure. Cylindrical support 18 comprises a collar 21 stoppingagainst casing 12. An auxiliary cylindrical support 22 coaxial tocylindrical support 18 and having a diameter smaller than the diameterof cylindrical support 18 projects from base 17. The arrangement ofcylindrical support 18, 22 enables assembly selection between one of thefollowing tubes: so-called large-diameter tube 20 assembled at the levelof the external lateral surface of greater diameter of cylindricalsupport 18, a so-called intermediary diameter tube (not shown) assembledbetween cylindrical supports 18, 22, or a so-called small-diameter tube(not shown) assembled at the level of the inner lateral surface ofsmaller diameter of cylindrical support 22. Base 17 comprises openings26 allowing passing of gases between opening 13 and the inside of tube20. Base 17 comprises an opening 28 receiving a striker 30 whichprojects in protrusion with respect to base 17 in opening 13. Base 17extends in a cylindrical wall 32 which projects along axis D intoopening 13.

As more clearly appears from FIG. 3, cylindrical portion 32 comprisestwo diametrical protrusions 36, 38 on the external surface ofcylindrical wall 32. Each protrusion 36 comprises two rectilinearportions 37A, 37B extending along axis D and connected at their ends bytwo circular portions 37C, 37D.

Plug 14 comprises a bottom 40 closing the end of casing 12 opposite tosocket 16. An edge 42 eases the assembly of plug 14 on casing 12. Plug14 comprises a cylindrical portion 44 which projects from bottom 40 intoopening 13 along axis D. A spiral spring 46 is arranged in opening 13.One end of spring 46 bears against bottom 40 of plug 14, betweencylindrical portion 44 and casing 12, cylindrical portion 44 easing thealignment of spring 46.

A slide 48 is arranged in casing 12 between socket 16 and spring 46.Slide 48 comprises a cylindrical body 50 which extends along axis D andwhich is partially inserted into spring 46. Cylindrical body 50comprises an internal cylindrical cavity 52 closed at one end by abottom 54 and opened at the opposite end. The external diameter of body50 substantially corresponds to the inner diameter of cylindrical wall32 of socket 16. Body 50 comprises at its median portion a collar 56forming a shoulder 58 against which bears an end of spring 46.

Two legs 60, 62, project from collar 56, on the side of collar 56opposite to spring 46. Each leg 60, 62 corresponds to a portion of acylinder oriented along the axis of casing 12. A space 64, 66 isprovided between each leg 60, 62 and cylindrical body 50 for the passingof cylindrical wall 32 of socket 16. A reinforcing piece 68, 70 isarranged at the free end of each leg 60, 62. Legs 60, 62 have a givenresilience and are likely to deform under the action of a forcetransversal to axis D.

A cylindrical compressed gas cartridge 72 is arranged in internal cavity52 of cylindrical body 50. Fastening means may be provided to maintaincartridge 72 in internal cavity 52 in the absence of significant effortsfor, especially, maintaining cartridge 72 in internal cavity 52 whenprojection system 10 is oriented so that the free end of tube 20 pointstowards the ground.

Opening 13 of casing 12 comprises a shoulder 76 on the side of the closeend of tube 20. Opening 13 comprises two blocking elements 78, 80visible in FIGS. 4 and 5, having the shape of portions of cylindricalarcs which substantially diametrically project from the internal surfaceof casing 12 and which are arranged close to shoulder 76. The angle seenfrom axis D in which each blocking element 78, 80 inscribes is smallerthan 90°. Each blocking element 78, 80 comprises a stop 81 at the levelof one of its surfaces included in planes comprising axis D (only onestop is visible in FIG. 4). Stops 81 are arranged to be diametrical.

Casing 12 comprises in its median portion two diametrical U-shaped slots82, 84, each delimiting a flexible tab 86, 88. A recess 90, 92 isprovided at the level of each tab 86, 88 to ease handling thereof.Opening 13 comprises a shoulder 93 arranged between tabs 86, 88 andfirst shoulder 76 close to tabs 86, 88.

The initial assembly of projection system 10 according to the presentinvention is performed as follows. On the side of the end of casing 12opposite to shoulder 76, slide 48, spring 46, and plug 14 aresuccessively introduced. Slide 48 penetrates into opening 13 untilreinforcing pieces 68, 70 of legs 60, 62 contact shoulder 93, preventingthe further progression of slide 48 into opening 13. The orientation ofslide 48 with respect to casing 12 is imposed by means not shown sothat, when reinforcing pieces 68, 70 of slide 48 stop against shoulder93, each reinforcing piece 68, 70 is substantially opposite to a tab 86,88.

Through the opposite end of casing 12, a compressed gas cartridge 72 isintroduced into cavity 52 of slide 48, after which casing 12 is closedby socket 16 to which is previously fastened tube 20 containing thelight elements. Once placed at the level of casing 12, socket 16 isrotated around axis D. The penetration depth of socket 16 in casing 12is such that, on rotation of socket 16, protrusions 36, 38 and base 16catch blocking elements 78, 80 until protrusions 36, 38 contact stops81. Projection system 10 is then substantially in the configurationshown in FIG. 1. Projection system 10 is said to be armed since it isready to be used.

The projection of the light elements contained in tube 20 is obtained byexerting a pressure simultaneously on tabs 86, 88, which slightly deformlegs 60, 62, causing the release of reinforcing pieces 68, 70 ofshoulder 93. Spring 46 then abruptly releases and drives slide 48 whichmoves axially towards socket 16. When collar 56 of slide 48 stopsagainst shoulder 93, slide 48 abruptly stops. Cartridge 72 is thenprojected against striker 30. The kinetic power acquired by cartridge 72is sufficient to cause the opening of cartridge 72 in the shock withstriker 30 and the release of the gases contained in cartridge 72. As areaction to the shock, cartridge 72 is axially projected against bottom54 of slide 48. The gases then spread into the free portion of internalcavity 52 and flow through openings 26 into tube 20. The resultingoverpressure is sufficient to cause the expulsion of the light elementsoutside of tube 20. Advantageously, striker 30 is formed of a materialsufficiently soft for the end of striker 30 to be blunted in the shockwith cartridge 72, to impose the change of socket 16 between two uses ofprojection system 10. According to a variation of the present invention,a damping material is available at the level of bottom 54 of slide 48 toavoid for cartridge 72 to embed in slide 48 in the counter-shock thatfollows the opening of cartridge 72.

It is preferable for the end of tube 20 opposite to casing 12 to beclosed by an inner capsule intended to be pierced by the overpressurepresent in tube 20 on release of the gases of cartridge 72. Indeed, theapplicant has shown that the projection of the light elements containedin tube 20 is performed to a greater distance when tube 20 is initiallyclosed.

Advantageously, a small clearance is provided between cylindrical body50 of slide 48 and cylindrical wall 32 continuing base 17. This limits,on opening of cartridge 72, gas leakages between cylindrical body 50 andcylindrical wall 32, thus favoring the pressure increase in the freeportion of internal cavity 52 and accelerating the gas flow throughopenings 26 in tube 20.

According to a variation of the present invention, an auxiliary tube(not shown), arranged at the level of cylindrical support 22 of socket16, inside of tube 20 and containing no light elements, the lightelements being provided between tube 20 and the auxiliary tube, isprovided in addition to tube 20. The auxiliary tube is closed at the endopposite to cylindrical support 22. The gas release successively resultsin the piercing of the auxiliary tube, then of tube 20. The applicanthas shown that such a configuration enables projection of the lightelements to a greater distance than upon use of single tube 20.

According to another variation of the present invention, a slidingmaterial is arranged on the internal surface of tube 20, for exampleparaffin, so that the light elements contained in tube 20 slide betteron expulsion thereof.

After the use of cartridge 72, projection system 10 according to thepresent invention is such as shown in FIG. 2. To reuse the projectionsystem after opening of a cartridge 72, a user must remove tube 20 andsocket 16, then remove cartridge 72. The user then introduces a newcartridge 72 into cavity 52 of slide 48, then places a new socket 16 atthe end of casing 12, socket 16 being generally already equipped withtube 20. The presence of blocking elements 78, 80 imposes a determinedorientation of socket 16 with respect to casing 12 on introduction ofsocket 16 into casing 12 so that protrusions 36, 38 slide betweenblocking elements 78, 80 in the axial motion of socket 16. Eachprotrusion 36, 38 then presses on a leg 60, 62 of slide 48. Thepenetration of socket 16 then causes the penetration of slide 48 intotube 12 and compresses spring 46 until reinforcing pieces 68, 70 engageinto shoulder 93 by deformation of legs 60, 62, then blocking slide 48in axial translation. The user then rotates socket 16 according to axisD until protrusions 36, 38 stop against stops 80, 82 of blockingelements 78, 80. Projection system 10 is ready for a new use.

According to a variation of the present invention, as a reaction to theshock between cartridge 72 and striker 30, cartridge 72 is axiallyprojected against bottom 54 of slide 48 with a sufficient force to causethe motion of slide 48 and compress spring 46 until reinforcing pieces68, 70 engage into shoulder 93 by deformation of legs 60, 62, thenblocking slide 48 in axial translation. Such a variation thus enablesautomatically rearming projection system 10. To reuse projection system10, a user must withdraw tube 20 and socket 16, then remove cartridge72. The user then introduces a new cartridge 72 into cavity 52 of slide48, and places a new socket 16 at the end of casing 12, socket 16 beinggenerally already equipped with tube 20. The user then rotates socket 16according to axis D until protrusions 36, 38 stop against stops 80, 82of blocking elements 78, 80. Projection system 10 is ready for a newuse.

Projection system 10 according to the present invention is designed sothat a user must simultaneously press on the two tabs 86, 88 to releasethe two reinforcing pieces 68, 70 from shoulder 93 and enable movingslide 48. This enables avoiding the incidental release of slide 48 whenthe user inadvertently presses on a single tab 86, 88 only.

According to a variation of the present invention, a magnet is arrangedat the level of bottom 54 of slide 48. Cartridge 72 being generallyformed of a metallic material, such a variation enables maintaining ofcartridge 72 at bottom 54 of slide 48 during the handling of projectionsystem 10, even when tube 20 is oriented downwards. Of course, themagnet action is not sufficient to oppose the projection of cartridge 72against projector 30, when collar 56 of slide 48, driven by the releaseof spring 46, stops against shoulder 93 abruptly interrupting the motionof slide 48.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show enlarged detail top views of an example of theforming of striker 30. Striker 30 comprises a cylindrical rod 94inserted into opening 28 for the fastening of striker 30 to socket 16.Striker 30 comprises a conical striking end 95 separated from rod 94 bya collar 96. The angle at the top of conical end 95 is, as an example,approximately 2 degrees. Conical end 95 comprises a chamfered wall 97.The angle formed between chamfered wall 97 and the axis of striker 30 isapproximately 15 degrees. A flattening 98 extends on conical end 94 fromchamfered wall 97 to collar 96. The collar comprises a recess 99arranged on the surface of collar 96 perpendicular to the axis ofstriker 30 and located on the side of conical end 95. Recess 99 extendsfrom flattening 98 to the radial end of collar 96.

Such a striker 30 enables forming an optimal opening of cartridge 72.Indeed, chamfered wall 97 eases the piercing of cartridge 72. From assoon as the beginning of the piercing of cartridge 72, gases may escapefrom cartridge 72 via flat 98 and recess 99. When cartridge 72 stopsagainst collar 96, such a gas carry-off eases the recoil of cartridge 72and enables avoiding the embedding of cartridge 72 on conical end 95.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a device 100 of automatic actuation of projectionsystem 10 according to the present invention.

Automatic actuation device 100 comprises a carter 102, in which isarranged a manual projection system 10 such as described previously. InFIG. 9, only casing 12 and plug 14 of projection system 10 are shown.Plug 14 has a rounded shape. Advantageously, a ribbed collar 114 isarranged around casing 12 to ease its grasping. Carter 102 comprises abase 105 on which plug 14 bears. A rectilinear rib 106 extends on wall105 and cooperates with a groove 107 provided on bottom 14 of casing 12.The cooperation of rib 106 and of groove 107 blocks casing 12 inrotation with respect to carter 102.

Carter 102 is pivotally assembled on a base 108 via a pivoting link 109.The inclination of carter 102 with respect to base 108 defines thedirection of projection of the light elements.

Carter 102 comprises two substantially diametrical pivoting arms 110,112 with respect to casing 12 and each rotatably assembled in its medianportion on a pivot 114, 116. Each arm 110, 112 comprises at one end abulging 118, 120 arranged opposite to a tab 86, 88 of casing 12. Anelectromagnet 122 is arranged in carter 102 and is controlled by acontrol circuit, not shown. A rod 124 is assembled to freely slide withrespect to electromagnet 122 and is capable of penetrating intoelectromagnet 122 when the latter conducts a current. A connecting rod126, 128 connects the end of each arm 110, 112 opposite to bulging 118,120 to rod 124. Each connecting rod 126, 128 is rotatably assembled onarm 110, 112 and on rod 124. When electromagnet 122 conducts no current,return means, not shown, place rod 124 in a position where it is mostwithdrawn from electromagnet 122. Connecting rods 126, 128 then rotatearms 110, 112 so that bulgings 118, 120 are not in contact with tabs 86,88 of casing 12.

When the control circuit supplies electromagnet 122, rod 124 penetratesinto electromagnet 122. Connecting rods 126, 128, driven by rod 124,rotate pivoting arms 110, 112 so that each bulging 118, 120 bearsagainst a tab 86, 88. This causes the release of slide 48 fromprojection system 10, as explained previously. The control circuit ofelectromagnet 122 comprises a capacitor storing the power required forthe supply of electro-magnet 122, a power transformer arranged betweenthe capacitor and electromagnet 122, and a control circuit of thecapacitor.

Carter 102 comprises an input jack 130 with three terminals 131, 132,133. As an example, a supply voltage, for example, on the order of 24volts, is applied between terminals 131 and 132 and enables charging ofthe capacitor of the control circuit of electromagnet 112. A controlvoltage of the control circuit is applied between terminals 131 and 133and supplies the control circuit of the capacitor to cause the capacitordischarge into electromagnet 122. A diode may be arranged at the levelof carter 102 to indicate a proper charge of the capacitor.

Carter 102 may comprise an output jack 135 enabling series connection ofseveral automatic actuation devices 100 according to the presentinvention.

The present invention has many advantages:

First, the releasing of slide 48 by a compression spring 46 enablesdeveloping significant forces favoring a wider opening of cartridge 72in the shock with striker 30, thus causing a better release of the gasescontained in cartridge 72 and thus better projection of the lightelements contained in tube 20. Further, the volume present in internalcavity 52 of slide 48 enables better expansion of the gases expelledfrom cartridge 72 and favors a better projection of the light elements.

Second, since compressed gas cartridge 72 is not fastened to theprojection system, it can be very rapidly replaced.

Third, the operation of the light element projection system is verysimple since it requires a simple pressing on tabs 86, 88.

Of course, the present invention is likely to have various alterationsand modifications which will occur to those skilled in the art. Inparticular, the number and the distribution of the openings of thesocket enabling passing of the gases released by the cartridge depend onthe dimensions of the cartridge and of the tube containing the lightelements to be projected.

1. A system for projecting light elements in the air, comprising: acasing connected to a reservoir containing the light elements andcomprising an opening extending along a determined direction; a slidecapable of sliding in the opening along the determined direction; astriker arranged in the opening and fixed with respect to the casing; aspring for sliding the slide in the opening; a shoulder blocking theslide with respect to the casing in a stop position; a compressed gascartridge being slid along with the slide, wherein when the springslides the slide until it is blocked in the stop position, the kineticenergy of the compressed gas cartridge then projects the compressed gascartridge against the striker to be opened by the striker; a channel forleading the gases released on opening of the cartridge towards thereservoir; at least one protrusion extending from the slide and forblocking the slide with respect to the casing in an arming position inwhich the slide is more distant from the striker than in the stopposition; at least one flexible member for releasing the slide to slideinto the opening from the arming position; and a socket arranged at oneend of the opening, the striker being fastened to the socket, the socketcomprising at least one protrusion capable of cooperating with the slideto place the slide in the arming position.
 2. The projection system ofclaim 1, in which the spring comprises a helical spring having a firstend connected to the casing and a second end connected to the slide, thespring being compressed when the slide is in the arming position andbeing capable of being released to slide the slide between the armingposition and the stop position.
 3. The projection system of claim 1, inwhich the shoulder blocking the slide in the stop position is in theopening.
 4. The projection system of claim 1, in which the slidecomprises a body and at least one reinforcing piece connected to thebody by a leg, the shoulder receiving the reinforcing piece to block theslide in the arming position, the leg being deformable to release thereinforcing piece from the shoulder.
 5. The projection system of claim1, in which the opening is cylindrical, the socket being capable ofbeing rotated with respect to the casing from a first position in whichthe socket prevents the sliding of the slide to a second position inwhich the slide is free to slide.
 6. The projection system of claim 1,in which the reservoir is fastened to the socket, said socket comprisingopenings for the passing of the gases released on opening of thecartridge.
 7. The projection system of claim 4, in which the at leastone flexible member comprises at least one flexible tab that can bemanually actuated, capable of deforming the leg to release thereinforcing piece from the shoulder.
 8. The projection system of claim4, comprising means for deforming the leg comprising a mobile arm havingone end capable of deforming the leg and an electromagnet capable ofactuating the arm.